Talented Ole Miss Football Wide Receiver Reveals Transfer Destination to SEC Rival

Pete Golding and Co. see a young wideout head to an SEC foe, reveals decision after quick stint in the portal.

Nov 8, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Winston Watkins (17) reacts with offensive lineman Diego Pounds (61) after a touchdown during the first quarter against The Citadel Bulldogs at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Ole Miss Rebels freshman wide receiver Winston Watkins has officially committed to Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers after revealing his decision on Sunday night via social media.

Watkins signed to the Rebels as a Top-50 wideout in the 2025 Recruiting Cycle and a Top-300 overall prospect - selecting Ole Miss over the likes of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Miami Hurricanes, Florida State Seminoles, and South Carolina Gamecocks, among others.

In his lone season with the Rebels, Watkins recorded 26 catches for 373 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, he notched 21 rushing yards on five carries.

“Winn has been great,” Ole Miss junior wide receiver Harrison Wallace III said. “You don’t really see a lot of young guys come in with the mentality that he has — just coming in and making it hard to keep him off the field. Just making plays day in and day out. You know what you’re going to get out of him every day. So, really proud of him, and he’s going to be a great player.”

Now, Watkins has made his move after following Kiffin from Oxford to Baton Rouge after accepting the LSU Tigers job on Nov 30.

BREAKING: Lane Kiffin and the #LSU Tigers have landed a commitment from Ole Miss wide receiver Winston Watkins.

The 6’2, 185-pound true freshman is coming off of a 2025 campaign where he hauled in 26 receptions for 373 yards + 1 TD.

Kiffin brings in his promising wideout. pic.twitter.com/Wi80UMt62C

— Zack Nagy (@znagy20) January 12, 2026

For the Ole Miss program, Pete Golding and Co. are cruising in the NCAA Transfer Portal with a top-five class with multiple immediate impact signees.

The Transfer Signees:

Jay Crawford – Auburn (CB)
Keaton Thomas – Baylor (LB)
Jonathan Maldonado – Nevada (EDGE)
Sharif Denson – Florida (CB)
Jaheim Oatis – Colorado (DT)
Michai Boireau – Florida (DT)
Chris Jones – Southern Mississippi (LB)
Carius Curne – LSU (OL)
Edwin Joseph – Florida State (S)
Joenel Aguero - Georgia (S)
Deuce Knight - Auburn (QB)

The most recent pledge for the Ole Miss program came from Auburn Tigers quarterback Deuce Knight after going public with a decision on Sunday morning.

Knight signed with the Auburn program as the No. 5 rated signal-caller in the 2025 Recruiting Cycle, but after one season on The Plains, elected to hit the free agent market.

The 6-foot-4, 217-pounder earned offers from the likes of the Auburn Tigers, Georgia Bulldogs, Ole Miss Rebels, Colorado Buffaloes, and Alabama Crimson Tide, among several others, across his time on the prep scene.

Now, the former five-star prospect is Oxford bound after revealing a decision on Sunday with Ole Miss landing their franchise quarterback.

More Ole Miss News:

Lane Kiffin Reacts to New Offensive Coordinator Being Hired By Ole Miss Football

Ole Miss Football QB Trinidad Chambliss Wins Major Award Amid Breakout Season

SEC Rival Emerging as Favorite to Land Ole Miss Football Quarterback Austin Simmons

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and Ole Miss Rebels On SI: @OleMissOnSI for all coverage surrounding the Ole Miss program.